Gulfport-Biloxi
International Airport officials and tenants are excited over a new
cargo facility and the completion of the construction on the terminal
expansion that should be finished by month's end.

Anyone flying in and out of the Gulfport/-Biloxi International Airport
will note that construction on the new and expanded terminal is rapidly
nearing completion. The airport overall has been undergoing a $50 million
expansion that actually began prior to Hurricane Katrina, but was
substantially setback by the hurricane when the existing work on the
terminal was badly damaged.

In addition
to the new terminal, there is a $10 million, 46,000-square foot cargo
building that will offer 20,000 square feet of chilled space when it is
opened in February.

The terminal expansion doubles the size of the busy airport, which is
expected to be able to handle 2.4 million passengers a year.

Overall, the property around the airport is seeing more than $300
million in investments that include a new tower, two hotels, a business
center, a new car rental center and several restaurants. There are also
new cargo and general aviation ramps under construction.

Later this year, a $15 million parking garage will be built to double
the parking space. Even with all of the construction, including some
additional parking built since Katrina, finding a parking place at the
airport often means driving around a bit and walking a healthy distance to
the terminal. The new garage, when finished, should help reduce the
parking problem for a while.

The airport offers 10 nonstop destinations on seven commercial
airlines. Officials hope to add more carriers
in the near future.

The $50 million terminal expansion will bring the following services to
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport:

• Seven jet gates and two ground-loading
gates, with an eighth jet gate to be added in 2008.

• Larger baggage area with two new large
baggage conveyors with space for a third, this is in addition to the
original two conveyors.

• Expanded passenger screening area with
multiple security lanes, as well as a more spacious terminal entry l
lobby.

• New rental car reservation counters.

• New airline ticket counters with space
for two more airlines.

• USO lounge for servicemen and women.

• VIP lounge to be constructed in 2008.

• New airside/landside gift shop,
bookstore and four restaurant concessions.

• Two business centers with free Wi-Fi
and work stations.

• Three covered vehicle lanes in front
of the terminal.

• Three covered commercial
ground-transportation lanes.

Even with all of the improvements at the airport, officials are already
anticipating further expansions of the airport that will be needed for
future traffic.

The airport was first constructed in 1942 to train flight crews for
WWII; it was transferred to the city of Gulfport in 1949. Biloxi and
Gulfport formed the regional authority in 1977.